Showing posts with label swamp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label swamp. Show all posts
Friday, February 17, 2012
Can the Women Survive?
Last week we saw Liz take on the swamps with her female co-pilot Christy... Even though they looked like they would struggle with their 1,000 pound beast caught on Liz's late fathers line, it sure didn't stop them from ultimately succeeding and dragging in a powerful catch any man or woman would be proud of. Although it was a close call the length of the beast beat out the swamp king Troy Landry's catch of a 13 footer... They may be ladies, but definitely not the weaker sex. Best of luck to you Liz as you hunts continue!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
New episode tomorrow everyone!
Well, I know how much everyone missed the show last week and I thought that was it for the season. It appears as if the History Channel was toying with our emotions. There will be a new episode this Sunday 10/10/2010 at 10/9C on the History Channel....
This Weeks episode is titled "Swamp Wars" this weeks episode shows the swampers race toward the end of gator season, Tommy and Joe have a poacher after their catch and vow swamp justice. Meanwhile, Junior and Willie try different ways to earn cash: catching frogs and snakes.
Sounds like a pretty interesting show this week, I am super curious what they are going to do about the poacher lurking in their gator hunting territory.....
Starting tomorrow afternoon around 1PM Central time will be a swamp people marathon all day up to the new episode that will air. So, if you missed a show here's your chance to catch up on this season's Swamp People Au revoir Swampers!
This Weeks episode is titled "Swamp Wars" this weeks episode shows the swampers race toward the end of gator season, Tommy and Joe have a poacher after their catch and vow swamp justice. Meanwhile, Junior and Willie try different ways to earn cash: catching frogs and snakes.
Sounds like a pretty interesting show this week, I am super curious what they are going to do about the poacher lurking in their gator hunting territory.....
Starting tomorrow afternoon around 1PM Central time will be a swamp people marathon all day up to the new episode that will air. So, if you missed a show here's your chance to catch up on this season's Swamp People Au revoir Swampers!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
No new episodes tonight
Now we are in the month of October and sadly that means the end of the alligator hunting season and the end of the Swamp People season. But if you have missed some episodes watch the History Channel Saturday 10/09/10 at 10/9C to catch up on the episodes you missed. I am looking forward to a new season of Swamp People, I hope History Channel keeps this show on for many many seasons to come.
UPDATE:
While watching IRT all day to day I saw commercials of Swamp People and thought I heard them say there will be new episodes sometime in October but I can't find any info on the History Channels site to back that up. Once I find some info out about if there will be or not, I will update when necessary. Here's to hoping that they will continue on with Swamp People, seems like it just started, hate to see it end so soon.
UPDATE:
While watching IRT all day to day I saw commercials of Swamp People and thought I heard them say there will be new episodes sometime in October but I can't find any info on the History Channels site to back that up. Once I find some info out about if there will be or not, I will update when necessary. Here's to hoping that they will continue on with Swamp People, seems like it just started, hate to see it end so soon.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Tonights Upcoming show 10/9 c
Force of Nature
Premiere Date: 09/19/2010
A cold spell is coming, one that could drive gators into early hibernation, ending the season early. It's a race against time as every gator hunter in the gulf tries to beat the storm. TVPG V-L
Sounds like an interesting episode tonight, can't wait to watch it!
Sounds like an interesting episode tonight, can't wait to watch it!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Swamp People - Life in Louisiana
When the History Channel created this show they really chose the runts out of the litter to follow, but who else would hunt alligators for a living anyway? Not trying to be mean by saying that, just saying that what you see as coonass, cajun, southern boys, well, they are not all like that, just a few here and there, not everyone in this humid region is like that though. But it still can be quite the cultural shock if you have never been here before. I know it was for me, I have lived in this area for about 4 years now. Moved down here from a fairly large city in Oregon, it was like moving to another country for me.
CULTURAL SHOCK HAS SET IN
Well, the very first thing you will encounter when visiting the South, home of the Swamp People is the accent. It is one of the more harder things to overcome when visiting. My first encounter was at a McDonalds drive-thru. For the life of me I just could not understand what the woman was saying through the speaker, apparently when you ask for a coke down here they will in turn ask you what kind, so 1st tip, when ordering make sure you are being very specific in your ordering techniques and God forbid if you ask for a pop, they will look at you like you are an extraterrestrial creature from another planet. I have put my "pop" phrases behind me and have moved on to something not so complex to order, like tea for instance. The accents are definitely hard to get use to, Louisiana in particular as you have seen depicted on the show. It would be so awesome if people here came with built in Closed Captioning, would make my life so much easier.
The Foods of Louisiana
Another thing that takes some getting use to is the food. I am a person that refuses to eat seafood, I don't know what it is, I just hate it, the smell, the texture, the way it all looks, just so unappetizing to me. I am a very picky eater so living here is especially hard for me, if you too are a picky eater tread lightly and learn to love fast food and cooking at home. Everyone around here eats fish of all kinds, rabbit (gross),turtle(ewwww),frog legs(.....),and of course alligator meat. Some of the more well known dishes are gumbo,jambalaya,oysters, fried catfish, and of course fried chicken (Popeye's says it all). A family event here usually revolves around a crawfish boil with spicy red potatoes and corn on the cob all with a kick, everyone cooks with hot sauce, if you don't have a bottle in your fridge how dare you.
Some of my favorite New Orleans style deserts would have to be Beignets and Pralines, if you have never tried them you are really missing out. If you are a coffee drinker and love a bold blend, a New Orleans style chicory is a perfect choice, it is VERY strong.
It's Getting HOT!
Remember last weeks episode where they had to wet a blanket and put over the alligators? Well, that's because of the heat here in Louisiana. They said on Swamp People they had to do that to keep the meat from going bad.
If you can't stand the heat, then this certainly isn't the place for you. I know in some places in the US you don't even need to own an air conditioner for the summer months, well I can assure you it is not like that here. Everyone has an air conditioner and anyone with a porch has outside ceiling fans attached to their porch. It really is that hot. Not only is it hot but boy is it humid! Go outside and you will instantly feel your skin getting sticky and feel your hair become damp and if you are wearing glasses or sunglasses, expect a light fog.
I know this post isn't exactly inspiring, but I really think everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Try some Gumbo, eat a beignet, drink a cup of chicory and sit outside and enjoy the hot weather. If Swamp People can do it, so can you!
CULTURAL SHOCK HAS SET IN
Well, the very first thing you will encounter when visiting the South, home of the Swamp People is the accent. It is one of the more harder things to overcome when visiting. My first encounter was at a McDonalds drive-thru. For the life of me I just could not understand what the woman was saying through the speaker, apparently when you ask for a coke down here they will in turn ask you what kind, so 1st tip, when ordering make sure you are being very specific in your ordering techniques and God forbid if you ask for a pop, they will look at you like you are an extraterrestrial creature from another planet. I have put my "pop" phrases behind me and have moved on to something not so complex to order, like tea for instance. The accents are definitely hard to get use to, Louisiana in particular as you have seen depicted on the show. It would be so awesome if people here came with built in Closed Captioning, would make my life so much easier.
The Foods of Louisiana
Another thing that takes some getting use to is the food. I am a person that refuses to eat seafood, I don't know what it is, I just hate it, the smell, the texture, the way it all looks, just so unappetizing to me. I am a very picky eater so living here is especially hard for me, if you too are a picky eater tread lightly and learn to love fast food and cooking at home. Everyone around here eats fish of all kinds, rabbit (gross),turtle(ewwww),frog legs(.....),and of course alligator meat. Some of the more well known dishes are gumbo,jambalaya,oysters, fried catfish, and of course fried chicken (Popeye's says it all). A family event here usually revolves around a crawfish boil with spicy red potatoes and corn on the cob all with a kick, everyone cooks with hot sauce, if you don't have a bottle in your fridge how dare you.
Some of my favorite New Orleans style deserts would have to be Beignets and Pralines, if you have never tried them you are really missing out. If you are a coffee drinker and love a bold blend, a New Orleans style chicory is a perfect choice, it is VERY strong.
It's Getting HOT!
Remember last weeks episode where they had to wet a blanket and put over the alligators? Well, that's because of the heat here in Louisiana. They said on Swamp People they had to do that to keep the meat from going bad.
If you can't stand the heat, then this certainly isn't the place for you. I know in some places in the US you don't even need to own an air conditioner for the summer months, well I can assure you it is not like that here. Everyone has an air conditioner and anyone with a porch has outside ceiling fans attached to their porch. It really is that hot. Not only is it hot but boy is it humid! Go outside and you will instantly feel your skin getting sticky and feel your hair become damp and if you are wearing glasses or sunglasses, expect a light fog.
I know this post isn't exactly inspiring, but I really think everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Try some Gumbo, eat a beignet, drink a cup of chicory and sit outside and enjoy the hot weather. If Swamp People can do it, so can you!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Swamp People and the Atchafalaya Swamp
Sprawling over a million-acre swath of southern Louisiana, the Atchafalaya River Basin is the largest swamp in the United States and one of the country's most ecologically varied regions. Its wetlands, bayous and marshes are home to 300 species of birds, 90 species of fish, shellfish and 54 species of reptiles and amphibians, including the famous American alligator. It owes much of its haunting and mysterious beauty to the towering, moss-draped bald cypress trees that thrive in the swamp waters.
For hundreds of years, the Basin's human dwellers (swamp people)—from the Native Americans who harvested its timber to the present-day Cajuns who hunt alligators in the swamps murky depths—have subsisted on its many bountiful resources. In the second half of the 18th century, the region became a refuge for several thousand French colonists who had been expelled from Acadie, part of present-day Nova Scotia, for refusing to swear allegiance to the British crown and church. Known as the Acadians, the settlers adapted their way of life to the changeable nature of the Basin's wetland environment, where water levels fluctuate depending on the season, by favoring houseboats and campsites to more permanent homes. Many began growing sugarcane and other crops in the fertile bayou soil, while other swamp people made a living as loggers, hunters, trappers or fishermen.
The Acadian community grew and prospered, eventually giving birth to the distinctly Louisianan "Cajun" culture, known throughout the world for its food, jazz music and unique dialect. Today, the Cajuns make up a significant part of southern Louisiana's population, and many continue to embrace the lifestyle and traditions of their ancestors.
In spite of the region's natural bounty and unmistakable splendor, swamp living has never been easy for the Cajuns and other residents of the Atchafalaya Basin. For instance, the disastrous Great Flood of 1927 decimated many communities, sparking a mass exodus that dramatically reduced the region's population. But to many people born and raised in the cradle of the lush and majestic Atchafalaya, the dangers and challenges they face are an accepted–and even welcome–part of life.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Swamp People - History about Cypress Lake
If you caught the episode Houdini's Last Escape on Swamp People, you saw Cypress Grove where they caught the big gator. Cypress Grove is a 2-acre swamp located in Lafayette, Louisiana. Located in the heart of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus that originally started as a buffalo wallow. Cypress Grove is a habitat for native irises, alligators ( of course), turtles, birds and fish, as well as a hangout for students and a point of interest for tourists visiting the area of Lafayette, Louisiana. Cypress Lake is casually called The Swamp, which is also the nickname of the Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns stadium, named Cajun Field.
In prehistoric times, buffalo herds wandering through the area stopped in the shade of the cypress grove, pawing and stomping at the ground. Eventually a depression in the ground formed from the buffalo's. The grove, called a trou de taureau in Cajun French, or “bull hole,” began to retain water and form a pond.
UL Lafayette (est. 1900) grew up around the pond. Initially the university fenced it in to use as a pig pen and feeding area for its instructional farm. In the early 1920s, the pig pen was drained to return the 63 cypress trees into the newly named Cypress Grove. The university used the grove as an open-air theater for Shakespearean productions, music and dance programs. Commencement exercises were held beneath the cypress canopy in 1935 for the first time and several subsequent years when the weather permitted.
In the early 1940s, some agriculture faculty members proposed converting the grove back into a pond, because they were concerned a lack of water could harm the cypress trees. A pump was installed, the pond was refilled, and Cypress Grove became Cypress Lake.
An oak tree located south of Cypress Lake has a plaque paying tribute to Edwin Stephens, the first president of the university, which was then called Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute
Alternate theory about the lake
An alternate theory exists to explain why the grove was converted back to a small lake. This one is counter to the theory that the trees needed water. Either could be correct.
The differing view is that the university created the lake as a precautionary measure during World War II. Two women with strong ties to the university, Maria Mario Mamalakis and Vesta Bourgeois, participated in the oral history project in which their memories of Cypress Lake were recorded in the mid-’80s.
“People didn’t realize that we were so near the gulf and had a lot of German submarines in the gulf area,” said Mamalakis, explaining why the university decided to create the lake. “It was a worry that we could even be bombed. It was Cypress Grove for many years, but they were afraid that we might need extra water in case of fire if a bomb had been dropped on campus.” Bourgeois concurred, adding that female students filled the swamp and conducted fire drills.
“They realized that if the Germans came to the gulf south of Abbeville they would bomb not us, but the vulnerable place, Baton Rouge,” Bourgeois explained. “If they had to come back with bombs (in their airplanes), they would not go back to the ship, but would drop them at some vulnerable place, and Southwestern would have been one.
“So they began preparing for this type thing, and they saw that there was no water. So they put water (in the grove), and we began teaching girls at the gym bucket brigades. So we had ladders, and an obstacle course for the girls to run, realizing that all of our men went into the service, and the others were in the National Guard or volunteers, so that the women would have to do these sorts of things. That’s how Cypress Grove was filled. Not many people knew that.”
Although the grove was a popular gathering place and was even used as a lovers' lane, students accepted the swamp because it was part of the war effort, according to Bruce Turner, a UL Lafayette history professor and head of the special collections at Edith Garland Dupré Library.
“I’m sure if they made the case that it was being done for war preparedness, then for patriotic reasons, people would accept that,” Turner said. “It was right in the middle of World War II, and everyone was concerned. Everybody was willing to make sacrifices for the war.”
In prehistoric times, buffalo herds wandering through the area stopped in the shade of the cypress grove, pawing and stomping at the ground. Eventually a depression in the ground formed from the buffalo's. The grove, called a trou de taureau in Cajun French, or “bull hole,” began to retain water and form a pond.
UL Lafayette (est. 1900) grew up around the pond. Initially the university fenced it in to use as a pig pen and feeding area for its instructional farm. In the early 1920s, the pig pen was drained to return the 63 cypress trees into the newly named Cypress Grove. The university used the grove as an open-air theater for Shakespearean productions, music and dance programs. Commencement exercises were held beneath the cypress canopy in 1935 for the first time and several subsequent years when the weather permitted.
In the early 1940s, some agriculture faculty members proposed converting the grove back into a pond, because they were concerned a lack of water could harm the cypress trees. A pump was installed, the pond was refilled, and Cypress Grove became Cypress Lake.
An oak tree located south of Cypress Lake has a plaque paying tribute to Edwin Stephens, the first president of the university, which was then called Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute
Alternate theory about the lake
An alternate theory exists to explain why the grove was converted back to a small lake. This one is counter to the theory that the trees needed water. Either could be correct.
The differing view is that the university created the lake as a precautionary measure during World War II. Two women with strong ties to the university, Maria Mario Mamalakis and Vesta Bourgeois, participated in the oral history project in which their memories of Cypress Lake were recorded in the mid-’80s.
“People didn’t realize that we were so near the gulf and had a lot of German submarines in the gulf area,” said Mamalakis, explaining why the university decided to create the lake. “It was a worry that we could even be bombed. It was Cypress Grove for many years, but they were afraid that we might need extra water in case of fire if a bomb had been dropped on campus.” Bourgeois concurred, adding that female students filled the swamp and conducted fire drills.
“They realized that if the Germans came to the gulf south of Abbeville they would bomb not us, but the vulnerable place, Baton Rouge,” Bourgeois explained. “If they had to come back with bombs (in their airplanes), they would not go back to the ship, but would drop them at some vulnerable place, and Southwestern would have been one.
“So they began preparing for this type thing, and they saw that there was no water. So they put water (in the grove), and we began teaching girls at the gym bucket brigades. So we had ladders, and an obstacle course for the girls to run, realizing that all of our men went into the service, and the others were in the National Guard or volunteers, so that the women would have to do these sorts of things. That’s how Cypress Grove was filled. Not many people knew that.”
Although the grove was a popular gathering place and was even used as a lovers' lane, students accepted the swamp because it was part of the war effort, according to Bruce Turner, a UL Lafayette history professor and head of the special collections at Edith Garland Dupré Library.
“I’m sure if they made the case that it was being done for war preparedness, then for patriotic reasons, people would accept that,” Turner said. “It was right in the middle of World War II, and everyone was concerned. Everybody was willing to make sacrifices for the war.”
Swamp People - What the Show is All About
Swamp People on the History Channel Hits Big – “Swamp People,” a new popular reality series is spotlighting a number of families who live within America’s largest swamp. It is an interesting mix of a culture and nature lesson. For 30 days, the network will be following around swampers during their annual alligator hunt. Which you can be expecting another season of the show right around the corner consider the annual alligator hunting season is upon us. The network released a statement describing what they are attempting to do with their new series.
“It is a uniquely American story of a proud and skillful people fighting to maintain an ancient way of life in a rapidly modernizing world.”
The series debuted and received a good reception from fans and critics alike. They were able to kill a 13 foot “monster gator” on the program during a hunt in the cypress groves. Animal rights activists will likely have a problem with the show, but it goes to show how different certain areas of the United States are from one another. One of the hunters pointed out that a popular swimming hole and a popular vacation spot during the summer months in the area is just a few yards away from where they killed the alligator.
The show goes to show that living in the swamps can be very dangerous but also profitable if you play your cards right. The swamps are a completely different way of life. Some of them almost never leave the swamp other than to work, and a vast majority of them work in the swamp in some way. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the show pans out, and whether or not the network decides to do a second season of Swamp People. With the fans pouring in from all over, I don't think they will have much of a debate about the subject.
“It is a uniquely American story of a proud and skillful people fighting to maintain an ancient way of life in a rapidly modernizing world.”
The series debuted and received a good reception from fans and critics alike. They were able to kill a 13 foot “monster gator” on the program during a hunt in the cypress groves. Animal rights activists will likely have a problem with the show, but it goes to show how different certain areas of the United States are from one another. One of the hunters pointed out that a popular swimming hole and a popular vacation spot during the summer months in the area is just a few yards away from where they killed the alligator.
The show goes to show that living in the swamps can be very dangerous but also profitable if you play your cards right. The swamps are a completely different way of life. Some of them almost never leave the swamp other than to work, and a vast majority of them work in the swamp in some way. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the show pans out, and whether or not the network decides to do a second season of Swamp People. With the fans pouring in from all over, I don't think they will have much of a debate about the subject.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Where the Swamp People Can Be Found
SWAMP PEOPLE — Deep in the heart of Louisiana lies America’s largest swamp–a million miles of inhospitable bayous, marshes and wetlands where nature rules and humans struggle to tame it. Many of its inhabitants are the hardened descendants of French refugees who were forced out of Canada in the 18th century and settled in this harsh yet majestic environment. Today, these people are known as the Cajuns, a group renowned throughout the world for their flavorful cuisine, distinctive music and vibrant culture. Resilient, self-reliant and fiercely independent, the Cajuns of the Atchafalaya Swamp still carry on many of their ancestors’ trades and traditions.
HISTORY follows these swampers through a time of year that is crucial to their survival: the 30-day alligator hunting season. At its core, this is a uniquely American story of a proud and skillful people fighting to maintain an ancient way of life in a rapidly modernizing world, despite the many perils and trials that stand in their way. (10 p.m., History)
HISTORY follows these swampers through a time of year that is crucial to their survival: the 30-day alligator hunting season. At its core, this is a uniquely American story of a proud and skillful people fighting to maintain an ancient way of life in a rapidly modernizing world, despite the many perils and trials that stand in their way. (10 p.m., History)
Definition of Swamp People
I'm just positive you are all wondering what the definition of Swamp People is. I won't keep you in suspense any longer.
According to the Urban Dictionary Swamp People is defined as;
A race of cult going zombies trying to take over the world.
Great right, yeah I thought so too. So there you go, we both know you chuckled a bit.
Swamp People is a pretty interesting reality show that focuses on the lives of the people who live in the swamps of Louisiana. Some people who hate the swamps start having creepy feelings when they even get to hear about people living in swamps but if you have ever been to the swamp lands it's really not that creepy. People find it creepys because of all those tall tales about the swamp monsters and even big foot. But let's be honest here, apparently big foot is in every region of the US according to all those "sightings" but he hasn't hurt anyone yet so I wouldn't worry to much about him he's probably just a lonely hairy man who finds comfort in playing pranks on the unknowing people around him. The persons who live in the swamps feel it is quite normal and easy to live there, better them than me is all I have to say to that.
The latest episode of the Swamp People (August 22,2010) was also pretty interesting and the people got to see how weapons were made by the master hunter and his eldest son whose name is Willie. They also created some hooks that most of the people might not have seen. These hooks looked to be made for hunting some swamp animals. The show Swamp People has gained a lot of popularity among the people because the life in a swamp is pretty interesting and apparently even more so dangerous. The people living in swamps have a completely different life style as compared to the people living in the cities and even the villages. The people of the cities are amazed to see the life of the swamp and the challenges that the people living there have to face.
The latest episode of Swamp People also showed Joe going to the marshlands along with his son. These marshlands are one of the most dangerous places in the swamps and a person has to be very careful in moving through these places. The son of Joe is a teen and he does some stupid acts which a teen is expected to do and he gets himself into some deep trouble. The fans of the series are pretty excited to see the upcoming episodes of the show which can be watched on the History Channel
According to the Urban Dictionary Swamp People is defined as;
A race of cult going zombies trying to take over the world.
Great right, yeah I thought so too. So there you go, we both know you chuckled a bit.
Swamp People is a pretty interesting reality show that focuses on the lives of the people who live in the swamps of Louisiana. Some people who hate the swamps start having creepy feelings when they even get to hear about people living in swamps but if you have ever been to the swamp lands it's really not that creepy. People find it creepys because of all those tall tales about the swamp monsters and even big foot. But let's be honest here, apparently big foot is in every region of the US according to all those "sightings" but he hasn't hurt anyone yet so I wouldn't worry to much about him he's probably just a lonely hairy man who finds comfort in playing pranks on the unknowing people around him. The persons who live in the swamps feel it is quite normal and easy to live there, better them than me is all I have to say to that.
The latest episode of the Swamp People (August 22,2010) was also pretty interesting and the people got to see how weapons were made by the master hunter and his eldest son whose name is Willie. They also created some hooks that most of the people might not have seen. These hooks looked to be made for hunting some swamp animals. The show Swamp People has gained a lot of popularity among the people because the life in a swamp is pretty interesting and apparently even more so dangerous. The people living in swamps have a completely different life style as compared to the people living in the cities and even the villages. The people of the cities are amazed to see the life of the swamp and the challenges that the people living there have to face.
Monday, August 23, 2010
The People of Swamp People
So who are these crazy guys of Swamp People that head into the swamps of Louisiana to catch a gator or two. Well I did some research and have came across there names and will list them all here for your viewing pleasure.
Albert "Butch" Knight
Butch does a little bit of everything, from trapping alligators to building boats to welding. To top it all off, he owns his own trucking company and can often be found at the helm of his 18-wheeler. The one thing he can't do is swim, but that's never stopped him from hopping in his boat and zipping through the waters around beautiful Avoca Island, which just happens to be known for the enormous alligators that live there and call it home.
During hunting season, Butch teams up with his two sons, Kenwood and Anthony, and often brings a grandkid or two along for the ride. Butch is one of 14 siblings, and all but one live nearby, so there's never a shortage of family members around. The Knights are a close-knit family that loves a good wholesome prank, a cold beer and the oddly unique experience of swamp living.
Tending the farm is backbreaking work, so Mike takes every opportunity to hunt wild gators in rivers, bayous and marshes. A man of many talents, he spends the little free time he has building boats, repairing engines and brewing his own beer and wine.
Albert "Butch" Knight
Butch does a little bit of everything, from trapping alligators to building boats to welding. To top it all off, he owns his own trucking company and can often be found at the helm of his 18-wheeler. The one thing he can't do is swim, but that's never stopped him from hopping in his boat and zipping through the waters around beautiful Avoca Island, which just happens to be known for the enormous alligators that live there and call it home.
During hunting season, Butch teams up with his two sons, Kenwood and Anthony, and often brings a grandkid or two along for the ride. Butch is one of 14 siblings, and all but one live nearby, so there's never a shortage of family members around. The Knights are a close-knit family that loves a good wholesome prank, a cold beer and the oddly unique experience of swamp living.
Junior and William Edwards
hardcore swampers, Junior Edwards and his son William spend their days out on the water throughout the year. They truly live off the land, taking full advantage of the swamp's bountiful resources, including its crawfish, crabs, deer, frogs and buffalo fish. The independent swamper lifestyle agrees with Junior; the one time he tried working for someone else, he only lasted two weeks. But that doesn’t mean he doesn't possess an incredible work ethic. Every morning, he leaves home by 5:30 for a long day of trapping and selling his catch. In the evenings, he and his wife Theresa do everything they can to prepare for the next season, such as making nets for buffalo fishing. Now William is carrying on the family tradition, sharing the tricks of the trade with his own young children as well.
Mike Kliebert
Mike was literally raised among the gators, growing up on the alligator and turtle farm his father founded about 50 years ago. He still lives there with his wife, two sisters and brother-in-law, Bruce Mitchell. While many similar establishments breed alligators indoors, the Kliebert Farm takes a more natural approach, keeping its resident animals in outdoor ponds. Some of the gators who live there are 50 years old and up to 12 feet long.Tending the farm is backbreaking work, so Mike takes every opportunity to hunt wild gators in rivers, bayous and marshes. A man of many talents, he spends the little free time he has building boats, repairing engines and brewing his own beer and wine.
Bruce Mitchell
Bruce runs the Kliebert Turtle & Alligator Farm, working closely with his brother-in-law, Mike Kliebert. He's been living on the farm compound for roughly 25 years. In addition to raising reptiles, Bruce and Mike hunt and process wild gators, selling the meat and other parts to various customers. Their goal is to waste nothing and remain self-sufficient at all times.
Joe LaFont and Tommy Chauvin
It's no surprise that Joe LaFont and his stepson, Tommy Chauvin, are known to all as "Trapper Joe" and "Lil' Trapper." Whether it's alligators, shrimp, muskrats or the giant swamp rodents called nutria, these guys are experts in the art of trapping. They also excel at living it up, especially when they take their neighbors' party bus out for a spin.
Troy and Jacob Landry
Troy Landry is the quintessential Cajun swamp man. From November to August, he makes his living in the crawfish industry, buying from local fishermen and distributing throughout Louisiana. But when September rolls around, it's all alligators all the time. Troy and his son, Jacob, spend their days hunting wild gators and running a huge warehouse where local trappers can store their catches. At night, they fry up fresh alligator meat on Troy's houseboat or take their boat on a bayou pub crawl, stopping at all their favorite watering holes. Thanks in part to his frequent parties, Troy is one of the most prominent residents of Pierre Part, his hometown, and his son seems to be following in his footsteps.
Clint Landry
Though of no relation, Clint Landry works closely–and parties hard–with his friends Jacob and Troy Landry. He also owns a turtle farm and camp where he and his buddies like to swim in the alligator-infested bayou and play pranks on each other.
There you have it. The people of Swamp People. They are an eventful and unique bunch.
Swamp People
So now there is a reality show on the History Channel called Swamp People. This show depicts life as an alligator hunter in the swamps of Louisiana. So I bet your wondering, why would you hunt an alligator? I asked the same thing a few years back before I moved to swamp territory. Simply put, they hunt alligators to lower the population, for the alligator meat (yes, people actually eat the stuff. Supposedly it tastes like chicken), and they hunt and sell them for the alligators skin. For one month out of the year people are allowed to hunt alligators. The state of Louisiana issues tags for the hunters, every alligator killed no matter the weight or length has to be tagged, once you are out of tags that's the end of the season for you. The heavier and longer the alligator is, the more it is worth. It was said on the first airing of the show that a hunter can make half a years salary from one month out hunting alligators.
Now you're probably sitting around wondering how to get your hands on a boat and some swamp get-up, but don't go dashing to the swamps yet. This definitely isn't a job for everyone. Alligator hunting is very dangerous but is also needed to keep the population down. If it wasn't for the hunters places like, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi would be over ran with these sharp toothed prowlers. Like I said though not a job for everyone, you need to have your wits about you when wrestling one of these creatures, watch out for the strong chompers and whipping tale, they can be huge and definitely angry when you enter their domain. Don't get knocked out of your boat either, then you will be facing alligator infested waters along with all the venomous and deadly water snakes. Hey, nobody said making money was easy.
If you saw the first episode of Swamp people you caught how a father and step-son exited their boat to find the hooked alligator, the step son went to shoot the alligator as the alligator was racing towards them, he fired and missed and fired again only to discover there were no bullets left. Now that right there is a situation you don't want to find yourself in. Facing an alligator without something to defend yourself with is a sure fire way to get really hurt or possible killed.
So how do they hook them? Well, alligators love rotting meat, yep good old rotting, stinking, raw meat. The smellier the better. An alligator can get a whiff of the rotting meat from quite a ways away and come right to it, when they go to swallow the meat, they get hooked. When the hunters make their way back to the traps they will pull the lines while someone else is standing by ready to shoot. A sure way to kill a gator is a shot right square on the head. Hey, I never said it would be pretty either.
To obtain a license to hunt alligators will cost $25 for a resident of Louisiana and $150 for non Louisiana residents. As found on the Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council site states:
An alligator hunter license applicant must submit the following:
There are a reported 1.5 million alligators located in the state of Louisiana. Now you see the need for harvesting, right? Louisiana alligator hunters currently harvest over 33,000 wild alligators and farmers harvest over 280,000 farm-raised alligators annually. Raw meat and hide values are estimated at over $10 million for the wild harvest and over $33 million for the farm harvest in 2005. (Note these values consist of raw meat and hides only and are not reflective of hide values after tanning and product manufacturing, values associated with jobs, tourism, economy, etc. or egg values.)
There is way more to it then what the show Swamp People depicts. It is definitely a good show just to give you an idea of what life is like in the swamp lands of Louisiana.
Now you're probably sitting around wondering how to get your hands on a boat and some swamp get-up, but don't go dashing to the swamps yet. This definitely isn't a job for everyone. Alligator hunting is very dangerous but is also needed to keep the population down. If it wasn't for the hunters places like, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi would be over ran with these sharp toothed prowlers. Like I said though not a job for everyone, you need to have your wits about you when wrestling one of these creatures, watch out for the strong chompers and whipping tale, they can be huge and definitely angry when you enter their domain. Don't get knocked out of your boat either, then you will be facing alligator infested waters along with all the venomous and deadly water snakes. Hey, nobody said making money was easy.
If you saw the first episode of Swamp people you caught how a father and step-son exited their boat to find the hooked alligator, the step son went to shoot the alligator as the alligator was racing towards them, he fired and missed and fired again only to discover there were no bullets left. Now that right there is a situation you don't want to find yourself in. Facing an alligator without something to defend yourself with is a sure fire way to get really hurt or possible killed.
So how do they hook them? Well, alligators love rotting meat, yep good old rotting, stinking, raw meat. The smellier the better. An alligator can get a whiff of the rotting meat from quite a ways away and come right to it, when they go to swallow the meat, they get hooked. When the hunters make their way back to the traps they will pull the lines while someone else is standing by ready to shoot. A sure way to kill a gator is a shot right square on the head. Hey, I never said it would be pretty either.
To obtain a license to hunt alligators will cost $25 for a resident of Louisiana and $150 for non Louisiana residents. As found on the Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council site states:
An alligator hunter license applicant must submit the following:
- a completed alligator hunter license application form including the hunter’s information (name, dob, ss#, etc.),
- proof of property ownership (tax receipts or bill of sale) containing Parish, Township, Range, Section and acreage information,
- a map outlining the property to be hunted, and
- a landowner’s signature indicating permission for the hunter to harvest alligators on the property.
- If applicable a legal alligator hunting lease may be submitted.
People not possessing or having permission to hunt alligators on property can harvest alligators as an alligator sport hunter while accompanied by a guide. A guide must be an alligator hunter possessing tags. Alligator Sport Hunter License cost $25 for Louisiana residents and $150 for non-residents.
There are a reported 1.5 million alligators located in the state of Louisiana. Now you see the need for harvesting, right? Louisiana alligator hunters currently harvest over 33,000 wild alligators and farmers harvest over 280,000 farm-raised alligators annually. Raw meat and hide values are estimated at over $10 million for the wild harvest and over $33 million for the farm harvest in 2005. (Note these values consist of raw meat and hides only and are not reflective of hide values after tanning and product manufacturing, values associated with jobs, tourism, economy, etc. or egg values.)
There is way more to it then what the show Swamp People depicts. It is definitely a good show just to give you an idea of what life is like in the swamp lands of Louisiana.
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